Pageant Hair Styles for Girls: Curl Hair With Curling Iron

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Curl Hair With Curling Iron

Use a curling iron only when your hair is completely dry.

The electric curling iron can transform any hair type into manageable, stylish curls. Knowing the proper way to use the curling iron can be the difference between soft and subtle curls and over-baked curly hair. The handy tool can be used for different techniques for hair such as spiral curls, barrel curls and waves, or you can experiment on your own to come up with a one-of-a-kind style. The curling iron is a straightforward tool to use, once you practice, and is a time saver for those quick morning hairstyles.

Instructions

1. Heat the curling iron to a medium high heat setting to prevent over-heating. Curling irons come with a temperature adjuster to control the amount of heat that radiates from the barrel. Straight hair with no natural wave or curl will want a hotter adjustment than a naturally curly haired person.

2. Apply a heat protectant serum to your hair. Use a comb to disburse the protectant evenly before applying heat to the hair. The hair protectant serves as a buffer between the hair and a heat source.

3. Apply a styling gel to the hair. The styling gel will maintain the curls for the entire day. Comb through to disburse evenly.

4. Section the hair into four separate sections - right crown, left crown, right nape and left nape. The crown is the top portion of your head, and the nape is the back neck. Secure the sections with ponytail holders.

5. Release the left nape section to begin curling. Comb a 2-inch section of hair downward. Hold the end of the hair with one hand and pick up the curling iron with the other hand. Place your thumb on the handle of the curling iron and press down. This will open the clamp. The clamp will hold the hair against the barrel of the curling iron. The barrel of the curling iron is what submits the heat to the hair.

6. Insert the hair into the open clamp of the curling iron. The clamp should be facing away from the head of the hair and the barrel will be facing the inside of the hair. Close the clamp over the end of the hair but keep your hand on the handle of the curling iron. Roll the curling iron until you reach the scalp. Stop the curling iron near the scalp. Touching the scalp with the curling iron may burn; therefore, stop 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch away from the scalp.

7. Hold the curling iron in place for 10 seconds. Release the hair by opening the clamp. Pull the curling iron away from the head and repeat throughout the entire section until complete. Release the right nape, and repeat the same process as the left nape. Release the top crown sections last.

8. Set the curling iron down and turn off when finished. Use your fingers or a hairbrush to style the curled hair.